COLOMBO (News 1st) – Today (May 18) marks nine years since the end of the three-decade long conflict that battered the country.

Events were organised in a number of occasions to mark this event.

President Maithripala Sirisena tweeted, he “expresses his deepest gratitude to all Sri Lankan war heroes on this National War Heroes Commemoration Day”.

I express my deepest gratitude to all Sri Lankan war heroes on this National War Heroes Commemoration Day.

— Maithripala Sirisena (@MaithripalaS) May 18, 2018

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa tweeted saying “nine years ago, Sri Lanka became free from the terrorism of the LTTE and says we must remember and honour the brave members of our military and their families who sacrificed so much for us to be able to live in peace”.

Nine years ago, #SriLanka became free from the terrorism of the LTTE. As we celebrate that freedom, let us also remember and honour the brave members of our military and their families who sacrificed so much for us to be able to live in peace.

— Mahinda Rajapaksa (@PresRajapaksa) May 18, 2018

A special event took place at Gajaba Regimental Centre Army Camp in Saliyapura, Anuradhapura to remember the war heroes. The event took place under the auspices of Major General Shavendra Silva.

Another event to remember those killed in the fighting took place in Wellamullivaikkal, Mullaitivu. The event saw the participation of students from University of Jaffna, Northern Chief Minister and several other politicians.

The 58th Division of the Sri Lanka Army provided refreshments through a Dansala to the people who arrented this event.

Meanwhile, MP Wimal Weerawansa presided over a remembrance event where tributes were made to the Panaduwa Malamulla War Heroes Memorial. Representatives from the Jathika Hela Urumaya held an event at Mihindu Seth Medura in Attidiya.

The official National War Heroes Day celebrations will take place tomorrow (May 19) afternoon at the War Heroes Memorial opposite the parliamentary complex, under the auspices of the President Maithripala Sirisena.

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